Friday , January 5 , 2024 | What’s Doing in Lafayette?
    
   News From the City Manager’s Corner
   This week’s updates from
   City Manager , Niroop Srivatsahighlight:
   City Council to Set Process to Fill Vacancy
   Community Meeting on Roundabout Reconfiguration
   Community Workshop for Park Design Concepts
   Submit Nominations Now for the Lafayette Green Awards!
    
   City Council to Set Process to Fill Vacancy
   With the upcoming departure of Councilmember Teresa Gerringer from the City Council later this month , at their meeting on Monday night , the City Council will set the process for filling the vacancy . The City Council has till March 23 , 2024 to fill the vacancy . The appointed person will serve on the City Council until the next regularly scheduled municipal election in November 2024 . See more details about Monday night’s City Council meeting below .
    
   Community Meeting on Roundabout Reconfiguration on January 17
   Join us at an online community meeting on Wednesday , January 17 at 6 pm for a discussion of the proposed final configuration of the Olympic Boulevard Roundabout and the roadway approaches to the roundabout .  
   Over the past year , City staff implemented several trial modifications at and around the roundabout to improve safety for drivers , pedestrians and cyclists .   These modifications were intended to reduce vehicular speeds without impacting vehicle delay , and include lane narrowing , a reduction in the number of vehicle lanes on southbound Pleasant Hill Road , visibility improvements of pedestrians in the crosswalks , and better guidance for drivers and cyclists about where cyclists may be expected to be traveling .
   Following direction from City Council in 2023 , Staff implemented these modifications using temporary treatments such as paint and delineators and monitored conditions through a robust evaluation process .
   This summer , the City is expecting to make the modifications permanent through a construction project and is seeking public input on the preliminary plans .
   Attend the online meeting ( via Zoom ) on Wednesday January 17 at 6 pm to hear a presentation from Staff on the proposed final configuration , followed by Q&A . More details including background information will be posted on our website by Wednesday of next week – look for a link on the
   Hot Topicswebpage .
    
   Community Workshop on January 20 for Park Design Concepts
   Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the
   Two Parks Collaborative Concept
   Community Workshop on Saturday , January 20 at 9 am . This will be the first meeting to discuss park design concepts for Leigh Creekside Park and Gazebo Park and will be held in Leigh Creekside Park ( corner of Moraga Blvd . and 4th Street ) . Participants will join the Parks , Trails and Recreation Commission and City staff as they work with Scientific Art Studios to discuss the design for the parks .    
   The City , along with community stakeholders and nonprofit 
   All Ages Recreation Downtown ( AARD )
    are actively working on the Two - Park Collaborative Concept providing improvements to Leigh Creekside Park and creation of a new active play area at the Gazebo site downtown . Read more about it on our
   website
    . To get involved , sign up to receive the Parks , Trails & Recreation Commission’s agendas using our 
   e - notification form
    .    
    
    
   Submit Nominations Now for the Lafayette Green Awards!
   Celebrate sustainable actions within our community!
   Nominatea neighbor , colleague , organization , youth group , or local business that has contributed to making Lafayette a greener place through individual or collective actions . Submit nominations by January 30 . The
   Lafayette Green Awardswill be announced in April at a joint meeting of the City Council and the Environmental Task Force . Visit our website for a list of
   past winners
    .
    
    
   City Meetings & Events
   City Council Meeting:
   The meeting starts 7 pm with presentations:
   Recognition of the Acalanes Football Team on winning the CIF Division 3 - AA State Championship ( Congrats Dons! )
   Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2022/23
   Action items include:
   Update by Staff on the East Side Pleasant Hill Road Pathway project and CCTA’s Pleasant Hill Corridor Study
   Announcement of a vacancy on the City Council and the process to fill the vacancy
   FY2023 - 24 Municipal Budget discussion
   Changes to parking fees for City parking meters
   See the
   full agendafor staff reports as well as information about how to participate in or watch the meeting . Information is also available at 
   www . lovelafayette . org/calendar
    .
   Other top meetings this week include:
   Youth Commission Meetingon January 8 at 6 pm
   Parks , Trails & Recreation Commissionon January 10 at 7 pm
   To view all upcoming public meetings and their locations , please visit our 
   calendar
    . You can also
   sign upfor meeting notices to come straight to your email inbox .
   City Administrative Offices Closed on Martin Luther King Jr . Day:City Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday , January 15 in observance of the holiday .
    
   Other Community News & Events
   News & Events from the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce:
   Congratulations to the 2024 Lafayette Business Person of the Year , Hollie Lucas - Alcalay
    , owner of Hollie ' s Homegrown! A dinner will be held on February 1 at Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa to honor Hollie . The evening will also include the annual State of the City Address by Mayor Gina Dawson and the installation of the 2024 Lafayette Chamber Board of Directors . Registration required and will open soon on the Chamber’s website . Stop by Hollie ' s Homegrown , 998 Moraga Road , say congrats and shop local!
   January 11 Mixer - Lafayette Chamber members and staff will engage in an evening of networking then enjoy seeing local Gael Aidan Mahaney on court for the Saint Mary ' s College of California men’s basketball game on Thursday , January 11 . Special discount tickets are available for Lafayette Chamber members and their guest ( s ) for this game .  No host food and beverage options will be available fromForge Wood Fired Pizza and Gael Ale from Canyon Club Brewery . Networking is 6:30 to 8pm . Game at 8pm .  Register for tickets at
   https://lafayettechamber . org/mixer
    .
   Lafayette Business Womenwill hold their January meeting on Wednesday January 17 at East Bay Health , 911 Moraga Rd , Suite 101 , Lafayette from 5:15 to 6:30pm . Learn more and register at
   https://lafayettechamber . org/businesswomen/
    .
   Business Resources:Check out the benefits of being a Chamber member on their website ,
   https://lafayettechamber . org
    .
    
   Registration for New Students Entering TK to 5th Grade:
   Registration is now open for
   newstudents to the Lafayette School district in 2024 - 2025 for Grades TK to 5 . Information and instructions can be found on the Enrollment link at
   www . lafsd . org
    . Please register early to secure a spot in your neighborhood school . Please email
   msibley@lafsd . orgfor any questions .
   Winter Walk Challenge  – Sign Up Now!511 Contra Costa’s
   Winter Walk Challengeis a fun , free , family - friendly activity .
   Register nowto receive weekly challenges via email with places to go , things to find , or sights to see – plus , you’ll be entered in a drawing for the iPad Grand Prize! Then , simply take a walk and snap a selfie that fits the weekly Challenge theme and submit your photo to be entered in the weekly drawings ( each Monday ) for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card .
    
   Former Lafayette City Manager Steven Falk Featured in the Sweet Thursday Author Series on Thursday , January 18
   : Hear Steven Falk discuss his book ,
   California Story
    . This rich and varied memoir tells how place shapes one life and addresses the universal themes of home , family , identity , faith , parenting , love , death , convictions , ethics , and philosophies . This is a free event , but registration is required at
   www . tinyurl . com/sweet - Jan2024
    . Come to the library at 6:30 pm for coffee and treats before the program starts at 7 pm . This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library .
    
   Supporting LPIE is Fun!A new batch of exciting 
   LPIE Pay to Play Parties
    has been announced! Sweat it out in a LightUp fitness class , revisit the Roman Empire at our toga party , and get your salsa on at our family - friendly taco fiesta! These parties are an awesome way to make memories with friends and neighbors while supporting our schools .  Visit their 
   party page
    to get your tickets today! LPIE is a local , nonprofit education foundation that supports Lafayette students every day .
    
   Nominations for the LPIE
   Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award Due January 25
   : Know an outstanding community member? Acknowledge someone ' s impact on our school community by nominating them for The Tom Mulvaney Legacy Award . This award honors those individuals , families , or businesses who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to
   LPIE
    ' s mission . Nominations accepted via this online
   form
    through January 25 .
   Join the Diablo Women ' s Chorale:Do you love to sing? Come join the Diablo Women ' s Chorale , one of the East Bay ' s longest - running secular chorales . They are a fun and welcoming group of women who share a passion for music . The Spring 2024 season begins on Monday , January 22 with rehearsals every Monday from 7 to 9 pm at St . Mark ' s Lutheran Church in Pleasant Hill . To make an audition appointment and for further information contact Member Chair ,
   Nancy Hickman ( 925 - 899 - 5050 ) or visit their website at
   www . diablowomenschorale . org/join - us
    .
    
   News From International Film Showcase:A new year means new films! This month , the International Film Showcase will screen
   Driving Madeline
    , opening on Friday , January 26 at the Orinda Theatre . Tickets and showtimes are available online at
   www . internationalshowcase . org
   ! Follow IFS on Facebook ( International Film Showcase ) and Instagram ( @international_film_showcase ) to stay tuned .
    
   Sudden Passing of Awais Mughal , The Park Theater Trust Boardmember– The Park Theater Trust recently announced with deep sorrow that fellow TPTT Board member and friend , Awais Saeed Mughal , passed away on December 15 , 2023 , after a brief illness .   A 22 - year resident of Lafayette , Awais joined TPTT’s Board of Directors in 2019 and immediately took on the role of negotiating the ultimately successful purchase of the Park property on behalf of the community . Along with fellow Board member Larry Haydon , Awais led the search for the construction team and then was asked by the Board to oversee architectural planning and design .   Read more on the
   TPTT website
    .
    
   Annual Wild Mushroom Warning from East Bay Regional Park District:With the return of winter rains , you may have noticed mushrooms while you are enjoying parks and trails in the East Bay . Mushrooms are an ecologically important part of our parklands and can look beautiful – but some of them contain dangerous toxins . The death cap ( Amanita phalloides ) and western destroying angel ( Amanita ocreata ) are two of the world’s most toxic mushrooms , and both can be found in East Bay Regional Parks during the rainy season . Read more about toxic mushrooms , including what to do if your dog eats one , at
   www . ebparks . org/safety/trails/toxic - mushrooms
    .  
    
   Show Your Love forLafayette Businesses: Vote in the East Bay Times’ Best in the East Bay 2024 Poll!
   Votingcloses this Sunday , January 7 .
    
    
   Reminders & Miscellaneous
   Curbside Collection for Holiday Trees Week of January 15 to 19:If you still have a tree , it can be left out on the same day as your regular garbage service . Collected trees will be composted , so be sure to remove all lights , ornaments , tinsel and the stand . After January 20 , you will need to cut the tree to fit inside your green organics bin or call Republic Services to schedule a special pick - up ( fee ) .
   Local Arts Organization Invited to Join New Digital Inventory:Join the Contra Costa County Map the Arts Project at 
   mapartscontracosta . org .
   Electric Leaf Blower Lending Program:Gasoline - powered leaf blowers will no longer be offered for sale in California starting this July . At the same time , the City’s
   new banon the use of gasoline - powered leaf blowers will go into effect . So , now is the time to consider buying an electric leaf blower . Compared to gas - powered leaf blowers , you’ll experience the benefits of cleaner air and quieter running noise! Residents can borrow battery - powered leaf blowers through the Environmental Task Force Lending Program at the Community Center .
   Sign up hereto check out this equipment for free and see the difference an electric leaf blower can make!
   Coyote Encounters:It is coming up on coyote mating season ( around late January through March ) , which typically results in an increase in reported sightings . If you see a coyote and it makes you feel uncomfortable , it is recommended that you make loud noises ( including by the use of a whistle , air horn , or any other noisemaker ) and even throw rocks if it is threatening you or your pets . The goal is to make the environment less hospitable and to discourage them from becoming too comfortable around humans .
   Coyotes are wild animals and should never be fed; Pet food should be brought inside at night , and trash lids should be secured .
   Special care should be taken at dusk and dawn when coyotes are known to be more active . Do not leave small children or pets unattended outside .
   To report a coyote with severe mange: Call the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Hotline for the Bay Delta Region at 707 - 944 - 5531 . Mange causes hair loss , painful lesions , and itchy skin .
   To report nuisance coyotes: Use the State Department of Fish and Wildlife ( CDFW ) online 
   Wildlife Incident Report
    .
   To learn about safety around coyotes and tips on how to reduce the potential for coyote conflicts , visit 
   www . keepmewild . org
   Lafayette Planning Applications and Major Development Projects:Want to know the planning applications that the City’s Planning Department is processing? You can visit the
   Planning Applications Receivedpage for the latest application information . Curious about construction taking place around town? Information on major developments that are underway can be found on the 
   Major Development Projects 
   website .
   Sign up to receive City notifications:Sign up for meeting agendas and Lafayette’s publications at
   bit . ly/LafayetteNotifications
    . Also , find out how to follow us on social media at
   https://www . lovelafayette . org/connect
    
   Cultural Observations and Celebrations
   Celebrate our diversity by learning more about these upcoming cultural observations and celebrations:    
   Jan . 6  
   Epiphanya . k . a . Three Kings Day ( Christian )
   Jan . 7  
   Orthodox Christmas Day ( Orthodox )             
   Jan . 15
   Martin Luther King Jr . Day ( National Holiday )        
   Jan . 21
   World Religion Day ( Bahá ' í )                                                  
    
   Photo for the Week
    
   Construction is underway at the Briones Lafayette Ridge Staging Area to make accessibility improvements , including restroom upgrades , a new drinking fountain and water bottle filling station , and improved disabled access parking . Due to the construction , the parking lot is currently closed .   On foot/bicycle , you can still access the trailhead next to Springhill Elementary School . The
   East Bay Regional Park Districtexpects the improvements to be completed by May .
    
   Quote for the Week
   Make a career of humanity . Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights . You will make a better person of yourself , a greater nation of your country , and a finer world to live in .
     - Rev . Dr . Martin Luther King , Jr . __________________
   The Weekly Roundup is prepared for the Lafayette Community , City Council and Staff . If you have thoughts about this week’s Roundup , a contribution for a future edition or a photo to be considered for the “Photo of the Week” , please email the City of Lafayette ' s
   Communications Analyst/Public Information Officer , Suzanne Iarla
    .
   You can help keep your Lamorinda friends and neighbors informed about what’s going on in Lafayette by encouraging them to sign up to receive the Weekly Roundup .
   Subscribe to the Weekly Roundup and learn more about Lafayette’s publications and social media sites
   here
    .
   

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